The Ecobee 3 Lite has all the features of the Ecobee 3, lacking only support for humidifiers, ventilators, and voice commands, and that covers a wide range of support for third-party assistants, including Apple HomeKit. Adding Ecobee 3 Lite, or any Ecobee thermostat, to Apple HomeKit is simple because there are so many different ways to do it, depending on which devices you own and the circumstances.

Below, we’ll cover all the different methods you can use to add your new Ecobee 3 Lite to HomeKit.

How to Add Ecobee 3 Lite to HomeKit

To add an Ecobee 3 Lite to HomeKit, you can choose among several different options:

  • After installation, link the two devices via the Apple Home app.After installation, hold your iPhone/iPad near the Ecobee3 Lite until the thermostat is recognized.Connect via the Ecobee app.Manually enter the code—in Apple Home—found on the Ecobee device or package.Scan for the Ecobee when it is in “setup mode.”

Owning an Apple HomeKit Hub isn’t necessary to link Ecobee to HomeKit, so long as you own an iPhone, iPad, or iMac. Alternatively, if you own a HomeKit Hub, you don’t have to own any other Apple products, so long as you download the Apple Home app, you can add the Ecobee Lite with any of the above alternatives.

Of course, some advantages and disadvantages come with not owning a hub, or not owning an iPhone, iPad, or iMac. Without a hub, there’s no issue adding Ecobee 3 Lite to HomeKit; however, it will prevent you from controlling your thermostat when away from home. It’s like the difference between LAN (local area network) and WAN (wide area network). A hub will open up connectivity when you’re away.

The simplest way to connect your Ecobee 3 Lite to Apple HomeKit is often the way that comes first. Just make sure that your iPhone, iPad, hub, or iMac are connected to the same Wi-Fi as the Ecobee and that the firmware on your devices and Ecobee are up-to-date.

Adding Ecobee to HomeKit via iPhone, iPad, or iMac

Open the Home app on the device you’re going to use to add the Ecobee. Then:

  • At the top of the screen, right-hand corner, select the + symbol to open a drop-down menu.From the menu, select Add Accessory.When you do this, a “HomeKit” code will appear on the touchscreen of the Ecobee 3 Lite. It will be an eight-digit code combined with a QR symbol for scanning. Either enter the code on your iPhone or scan it with the Home app, and the Ecobee will add successfully.

Adding HomeKit Through the Ecobee App

Like most smart devices, the Ecobee3 Lite comes with a necessary app for installation. Of course, the Ecobee app—Android and iOS—comes with more than just installation instructions. Not only does it control the Ecobee3 Lite from your phone, but it’s also the bridge for connecting your thermostat with third-party digital assistants like Siri.

To add Ecobee3 Lite to HomeKit:

  • Open the Ecobee app and select Account at the bottom, right-hand corner of the screen.Near the bottom of the screen, you’ll see Integrations, and below that, HomeKit and Google Assistant. Select HomeKit and on the following page, select the + symbol followed by Select to Add Thermostat.Now you will select the home you want to add the Ecobee to and select Next.On the next screen, select your Ecobee and then Add. Your Ecobee will now display your HomeKit code. The HomeKit code will also show up on the touchscreen interface of your Ecobee3 Lite thermostat. Use the Ecobee app to scan the code and choose the room that your thermostat is located in.

Adding Ecobee Lite by Scanning or Entering the HomeKit Code

If there is a problem scanning the code directly, you still have the option of searching for the thermostat, much like searching for Bluetooth devices. You can also manually enter the code in your HomeKit app.

If the code isn’t available:

  • Remove the Ecobee3 Lite thermostat from the wall by grasping and pulling straight out. After fifteen seconds, replace it and wait for it to cycle back up again.Once it’s powered back up, open the Home app and select the Add Accessory option on the home page.Select I Don’t Have a Code or Cannot Scan, and the Ecobee thermostat should show up on the following screen.Select My Ecobee,and an eight-digit code will show up on the thermostat for you to enter on the Home app. Once you enter the code, your HomeKit and Ecobee3 Lite will successfully link.

If you’re having trouble scanning the QR or retrieving the code from the thermostat:

  • Look at the packaging and the back of the device or wall mount. The same code that you need to link HomeKit will be found on one of these spots.Select the I Don’t Have a Code or Cannot Scan option again and enter the code from the package or device. This will also successfully link HomeKit and Ecobee.

How Does Ecobee Lite Work Within the Home App?

When you first open the Home app, you’ll see an icon with the current temperature of your home at the top of the screen, along with the status of your Ecobee—whether it is idle or active. If the Ecobee is the only smart device on your Home app or if you have it listed as a Favorite Accessories, it will also show up in that category at the bottom, with its name and current setting.

Selecting either the icon or favorite accessory will take you to a screen with a circular, touch, sliding scale, colored in warmer and cooler temperature tones. You can slide that scale to the temperature you wish or adjust the setting of your Ecobee to Heat, Cool, Auto, or Off.

On the bottom, right-hand corner is a gear symbol that will open a drop-down menu below the sliding scale. Here you can access the data your Ecobee3 Lite has gathered on your home. You can also rename your Ecobee, adjust whether or not you want it listed in Favorites, check the status, or Remove the Accessory to drop the Ecobee from your Home app.

Setting Up Scenes for Ecobee Lite

Another unique category within the Apple Home app is Scenes. Similar to Alexa Routines, Scenes allows you to set up an automation for certain periods of the day.

  • Select + Add Scene from the middle tab on your Home app. Here, you can name your scene and include the Ecobee3 Lite under Add Accessory.Under the Add Accessory tab, select your Ecobee, then select Done in the upper, right-hand corner.You can also add additional accessories such as smart lights and plugs that will follow the same automation you set up for your Ecobee. Set the Ecobee to your desired temperature, name your scene, and select Done.

Now, whenever you select your scene, everything you set up will adjust to your preferred setting.

Final Thoughts

Apple was originally behind the curve when it came to smart home hubs and automation. It wasn’t until June 7, 2021, that Apple announced integrating Siri with third-party smart home products. As recently as the 2018 CES, Apple was more focused on its iPhone and iPad products than anything to do with smart homes.

Right now, Apple’s corner of the smart home market is small, but it is growing. Adding accessories—like the Ecobee 3 Lite—to HomeKit is just as simple as the Alexa or Google process. HomeKit is nowhere near as cluttered as competing apps and has a simple interface.

Apple’s Home app interface takes the guesswork out of adding the Ecobee 3 Lite and other accessories by keeping it simple and designing a host of different methods for connecting third-party devices.